TBT - Cat's Birthday (Cakes)

Cat has been so lucky that her birthday has coincided with Extended Family Time for 4 of the last 5 years.  (And the year she wasn't with extended family, her birthday was the first day of her first and last sleep-away camp, which was pretty cool too.)  This year, her birthday fell at the beginning of our trip to the Southeast so she got not one, not two, but three birthday cakes.  And lots of extra birthday love from grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

#1 - At home, celebrating a couple of days before the trip

with parents and siblings.  Mr. Chance, a young man who works

with Ben, joined us for dinner and cake at the last minute.

#2 - At Pops's house in Georgia

two days before Cat's actual birthday.

#3 - At Mema & Papa's house in Florida on Cat's actual

birthday.  Most of the family on Ben's side was in attendance.

The birthday gifts she received were wonderful and varied.  Grammy gave her a digital camera; Ben and I gave her some accessories to go with her camera.  She has loved having her own camera and she's used it a lot.  Mema and Papa gave Cat the full box set of Anne of Green Gables movies which she really treasures and has thoroughly enjoyed watching.  Pops gave her a bat bag and some new softball pants.  Unfortunately, her team was eliminated from the end of the year tournament while we were on our trip so she hasn't gotten a chance to use these yet, but she definitely plans to put them to good use.

Cat is such a lovey young lady.  Although she is ready to move on to big(ger) kid things, she doesn't hesitate to involve and play with her younger siblings.  She is fun, funny, smart, creative, helpful, and good.  I just enjoy being around her.

She's quite the bookworm.  For example, she read 98% of the Harry Potter series during the month of July.  Even during the school year it's not uncommon for her to read more than one chapter book during a week, even when it was soccer season AND she was practicing piano an hour or more a day.  Her current favorites are the Fablehaven books (which she thinks were even better than Harry Potter - gasp!) and the Michael Vey books.

Cat's talents include athletics, piano, writing, cooking & baking, and being a natural leader.  She enjoys playing with friends and having fun.  I love that Cat is confident in who she is and proudly considers herself a tomboy.

Cat reads her scriptures daily and is quite knowledgeable in the gospel.  She frequently wants to teach FHE, planning with her own lessons and activities.

I feel so lucky to have this girl as my firstborn.  We've had to break each other in in a lot of ways, both being as strong-willed as we are, but we have taught each other so much.  She's such a blessing to me and the rest of our family.  I love you, Cat!